A message from the Rev’d Amanda Collinson

Posted by Admin on 23 June 2017, 11:01 pm

Amanda Collinson

Priest-in-Charge

St John the Baptist Church

Northwood.

Tel: 01983 294913

Hello there!

After a recent experience with an emergency dentist we sat around our dining room table and discussed who would want to be a dentist, especially one that takes emergency appointments! I am squeamish around teeth, snapped bones I am fine, but I really cannot cope with anything involving teeth or eyes. And so being a dentist would be up there with one of the last jobs I would ever do… in fact I would probably have to become unemployed if that was the only job in the world. I couldn’t do it and I am sure my patients would not appreciate me going green in front of them. All I can say is thank the Lord for those who did want to become dentists or just find themselves as one now, despite never thinking they would be one!
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But whilst there may not be many youngsters who go to their Career advisors and say they want to be dentists, did you go up and speak to your teacher/advisor and say you want to be the job that you are doing now or did before you retired?
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I certainly didn’t think I was going to be a vicar!!! Goodness me no – I was going to be a Firefighter like my Dad, Grandad, numerous uncles and cousins….and in fact I nearly was but the Royal Navy beat Hampshire Fire Service to it and offered me a job first! We have asked our boys what they want to be when they grow up – Samuel wants to be a Fireman (we picked the right name for him didn’t we!!!) but Jacob fluctuates with his choice – I will be fascinated to see what they become!
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Can you remember what you wanted to be when you were small? When I was at infant school I wanted to be a hairdresser – how my hairdresser would laugh now if she knew that, I take such poor attention to my hair. But then I am sure I am one of a large percentage of people who didn’t become what we said we would be as a child and I am sure there are many of you like me who are laughing whilst recalling what you wanted to be when you were young. Some of you may be sad that you never did your dream job or achieved your ultimate ambition, others of you may regret not doing one thing or another.
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With our nation experiencing so much sadness recently with the terrorist attacks and terrible fire in London, we need to make sure we don’t end up saying ‘If only’ in our lives. We need to make sure we fully use our lives, do what we want to do and take every opportunity we are given…. even if it is a crazy thing. I say this as I think of a dear friend Joan who will be skydiving later this month for Age UK IW at the tender age of 91 years!!!! She was quoted in the County Press saying, ‘All my life, I’ve taken opportunities for adventure.’ She and I were two of the large group of islanders who went to the Holy Land earlier this year and I loved hearing stories of her wonderful and colourful life. I admire her greatly and I love her for not letting her age stop her taking any opportunity she is given.
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Now skydiving may not be for all of you, but most of us can take control of certain things within our lives, take opportunities when they arise and every one of us can appreciate the small things around us and the people who care for us…. all we need to do is stop talking and start doing!
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So how about challenging yourself to do something in these next two months that you will remember for ever or simply make you smile?? I am going to try and do something with my family. Summer must not be just when children have fun, we all can – whatever our age or ability. Remember Skydiver Joan – don’t let yourself be the one thing that stops you doing something wonderful!
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This summer do that thing you have always wanted to do but never got around to doing or thought it was too crazy or silly. More importantly though, remembering those whose lives have been tragically changed recently, hug your nearest and dearest tighter and more often, and be grateful for all that you have.

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Rev’d Amanda.

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